Moses - good question, I would like to know as well as I mainly spray the tops and attempt to spray the back of the leaves. I have not been growing roses long enough to give you a definitive answer. But from what I can tell spraying the tops seem to have worked for me so far.

Chili Thrips - Conserve

Texas Ben,

I cannot thank you enough for your information that, " hit the bullseye, dead center.". You've made my rose gardening much easier, and less expensive too. Thanks, again!

Moses

Ben: I've read the product label for Forbid 4F. Can you provide references for: 1. spraying undersides not necessary, and 2. development of resistance not a concern?

Thanks.

Moses,

I’m glad you found the information useful!

rifis,

They are both discussed here:

http://www.chattanoogarose.org/spider%20mites.htm

Texas Ben,

I just yesterday ordered the Chapin sprayer you recommended from Amazon. Forbid 4F is scheduled for use here, come the end of June, 2018. Thanks, again!

Moses

I also ordered it last night, although my local Lowe's carried it as well. Moses, it will be interesting to hear your comparison of it to the other sprayer you used and liked. I may put some sort of shoulder strap on it, if it doesn't have one already.

vaporvac,

I also own the Solo sprayer, which I believe is what Moses and I discussed in another thread. If find this one to be a significantly stronger spray, with finer particles, so Mr Solo is pretty much retired by Mr Chapin. But I agree...try it out for yourselves, once you get it, to make sure it suits your expectations. I find if I just simply buzz the mist wand around the whole plant, every gets covered, including both sides of the leaves. I have not had any trace of mites or blackspot all summer, every leaf is healthy, which is really a first for me!

Vaporvac,

I have used a number of different sprayers over the years. The Atomist gives the best, mist type, spray, but the sprayer is poorly designed, and has several major issues in operating it, especially health/safety problems.

I now use the Solo sprayer, and have for the past 4 years. For my rose bed of 60+/- roses the Solo meets the need fairly well. It works as well today as it did when brand new. The strongest feature is its ease in prep time, both before spraying, and then clean up.

I look forward to the Chapin giving a fine MIST, instead of the fine SPRAY the Solo gives. It will be quite an improvement.

I hope the air pressure forcing the mist out is not strong. I find foliage being blown around when spraying, and not getting the spray where I want it to go, very frustrating.

I hope yours works to your satisfaction.

Moses

Texas Ben,

You make a good point about your healthy roses. Anything that makes spraying easier, an unenjoyable task more tolerable, will cause me to stick more faithfully to my spray routine.

Moses

It was a brillant find, BenT! How did you happen upon it? I love hearing the thought process behind serendipitous finds. : )

Hi Vapovac

I was actually trying to kill...mosquitos! I pretty much try out everything on the market to save myself from those bloodsuckers. The second I saw that big "V" of fine mist come out of this sprayer, I thought, forget the mosquitos, I'm spraying roses with this contraption! This sprayer works fine for mosquitos, but it is amazing for roses!

I don't spray insecticides (only a soil drench for midge treatment) or miticides. Systemic fungicides, I try to get the undersides of most of the leaves, but I don't sweat it if I can't reach, and I get good coverage.

Going OT! diane, what soil drench do you use and do you find it very effective?

What fun! I just tried out my new Chapin sprayer and love it! It IS a very fine mist. I just sprayed some compost tea to see how it works. I rigged up a shoulder strap for ease of use, althoughI wish it came with one. I have a backpack 4 gal. sprayer so it's hard to get used to something else. That one is super easy to pump, but I reserve it for spraying stuff I want to get rid of, not keep! Thanks BenT!